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RAPID INDUCTION HYPNOSIS:

DR. WILLIAM SMITH:
UNLIMITED HUMAN: VOL 1, ISSUE 1

Rapid induction (speed) hypnosis has been a staple of the motion picture and
television industries for decades. Svengaliesque characters telepathically force their
lascivious wills upon hapless maidens. The T.Y. detective takes a client to a hypnotist
who (before the next commercial) draws the hidden piece of a puzzle from the clouded
memory of the victim.

Even cartoons abound with characters whose eyes turn into whirling discs or who,
with the simple wave of a gold pocket watch lock the "subject" into an irresistible trance.
In days gone by advertisements in comic books promised pre-pubescent boys that
they could hypnotize women quickly and easily - and the secret of this power could be
had for only a dollar!

Yes, it is truly the stuff of dreams, but when a serious researcher begins an
examination of available literature he (she) quickly discovers a very serious dearth of
material.

Worse, there seem to be virtually no seminars available to the public about speed
induction techniques.

This year I have joined . forces with the Hypnosis Learning Institute in order to
help fill the information gap for professionals who are interested in the use of "instant
induction" hypnosis.

Professionals will gather from allover the country during the month of February in
Boston and New York in order to join myself, Frank Santos (a master stage performer)
and Steven LaVelle for two-day speed induction seminars.

But for those who can't wait, let me introduce you to the advantages of being able
to rapidly induce a state 'of profound hypnosis.

First, and obviously foremost, is the use of speed inductions in hospitals and
emergency situations.

The emergency medical technician who could not use pain relieving drugs with an
injured patient for whatever reason, and who knew a rapid induction hypnosis technique
would be a very valuable addition to the medical team.

Granted, if the patient were first contacted in the field and found a projected
journey to the hospital likely, a progressive relaxation induction would be of great
benefit, but the initial induction should be a rapid one of less than two minutes duration.
The dentist who faces an anxious client cannot take an additional twenty to thirty
minutes to induce a state of hypnosis even if it would reduce the need for anesthetic or
remove the "gag reflex".
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But a speed induction would be ideal in such situations.

Another advantage is that those who master the speed induction normally do not
require a fixation device such as the hypnotic spiral, a gold watch, the altered state
inducing "light goggles" or even a metronome.

True, the stage performer might incorporate a hypnotic spiral into his act, but it is
hardly necessary and is most likely just window dressing to make the show more
aesthetically interesting.

Such devices are normally only used in lengthier, progressive relaxation types of
induction, where the practitioner has assumed a more permissive role and invites the
subject to participate in the hypnosis process.

Speed inductions are almost always highly authoritarian in . nature with the client
assuming a passive role. The induction occurs almost as a surprise to the client. That is,
although the client knows what is expected of him (her) the induction is couched so that a
moment of surprise gives the practitioner a pathway past the conscious, critical mind,
directly to the inner-conscious.

This is often accomplished by creating a mental or physical loss of equilibrium in

the client such as those methods which I call, "The Master's Touch" or the highly
effective "Handshake to Oblivion." By the way, even such a luminary as Dr. Milton
Erickson was known to use the "handshake" method.

Although progressive-relaxation style techniques are ideal for those who wish to learn
self-hypnosis and who need to have a more active role in the induction, and these sorts of
techniques are far more appropriate for making practice cassette tapes, certain rapid
induction methods have proven superior for those who are already well conditioned to the
Practice of meditation or hypnosis.

Indeed, for the already well conditioned client, the long (10 to 40 minute)
induction can prove to be quite boring. Thus it is imperative that a modem practitioner
know both.

If I were asked to reveal the "secret of speed inductions" I would have to say that
unlike the progressive-relaxation style which quiets the senses, speed inductions
deliberately "overload" the nervous system.

There are a few other benefits to the speed induction as well. As a simple mental
exercise I calculated that with a fairly full calendar at one minute per induction (as
opposed to 40 minutes) over a period of the next 20 years, you would save some 23,360
hours which could have been devoted to the therapy instead of the induction!

Furthermore, for those who respond well to rapid induction (I am convinced that
anyone who wants to be hypnotized can be in less than 2 minutes) can enter into a
profound state of physical relaxation, even deeper than natural sleep.
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And the practitioner of speed techniques makes free use of "challenge tests" so
there is no doubt in his (her) mind but that the client is indeed in a profound state of
hypnosis.

In point of fact I am prepared to state that somnambulism (the deep state at which
pain control, parts therapy etc. occurs) is obtainable in virtually every instance.

This is the state in which work with severe bums and surgery is performed
without chemical anesthetic.

Speaking of surgery, I met a client when I was on vacation a few years ago who
had a torn shoulder rotor cuff. He had undergone two surgeries and had reached a point at
which the medical practitioners could not perform any further surgery. Yet he remained
in excruciating pain.

He was employed as a heavy equipment operator, and had to use his damaged
shoulder all day long. Needless to say he was disabled and not working when I met him.
After confirming that there would be no contraindication to the use of hypnosis
for the relief of his pain, I used an instant induction and established the somnambulistic
state with him in about two minutes.

Ten minutes later he was completely free from pain in his shoulder. To this day
(some four years later) he still has no pain, and has been back working full time ever
since.

If I would have had to obtain some sort of prop, or needed to perform a 20 - 40

minute induction in a nice, quiet place, this man would no doubt still have his pain and
still be disabled, but as I had all that I needed to assist him fully right there, with instant
induction hypnosis, the time was right and we were able to act right away when needed.

Instant induction hypnosis is a beautiful thing to watch. It is indeed the magic of

hypnosis and almost unbelievable when you observe it for the first time. When, with just
a hand shake, a pat on the back or even a mere gesture, you are able to create, instantly, a
profound state of hypnosis for your client. And best of all, anyone can do it.

If you have not yet mastered the art and science of rapid inductions I highly recommend
the courses in Boston and New York. There you will be able to observe three vastly
different approaches to "speed hypnosis," my own, the stage performer's approach and
Steven LaVelle's permissive speed induction after which he will show how Frank Santo's
(the "R" rated hypnotist) stage techniques can be used as viable therapies in a clinical
setting.